Burning Permits (Fire Season)

Overview

Fire season usually runs from the third Monday in April until the end of October
For small amounts of brush and woody material (Category1) fires, you must call toll-free 1-866-458-8080 or 444-5445 (in Fredericton area) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information will be updated daily during the fire season. You must have the landowner’s permission before igniting a fire on private land. There will be three levels of permission based on the weather and current fire conditions in your area. They are: Burn, burning permitted between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. and no burning allowed.
Categories 2-4
Fire season: Call TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-866-458-8080
Out of season: Call, “Environment and Local Government”.

Eligibility

Residents and non residents must acquire a burning permit during the fire season.

Cities and towns have their own bylaws. Some villages also have their own bylaws that restrict burning. It is your responsibility to find out if your village has its own bylaw. If it doesn't, your area is governed by the provincial guideline.

Certain material - such as pressure treated wood - must not be burned.

Description

Category 1: Campfires & burning woody material such as:
• Piles three metres in diameter or smaller.
• Piles no more than two metres high.
• Burning within 60 metres of forestland.
• No more than four piles burning at one time.
• Multiple piles must be at least 10 metres apart.
Fires must be attended at all times.
You must have the landowner's permission before lighting a fire on private land.
a written permit is not issued for a category 1 fire
permission is given by county via phone or website

Category 2 – Larger Fires includes:
Large fires other than prescribed burning and blueberry fields.
• Piles more than three metres in diameter.
• Piles more than two metres high.
• Burning within 100 metres of forestland.
• More than four piles burning at one time.

You need a written permit from Natural Resources.
We must also pre-inspect the site.
You need the land owner's permission.
Fire must be attended at all times.

Category 3 – Blueberry Fields fires are any fire that treats existing blueberry fields.
• You need a written permit from Natural Resources.
• We must also pre-inspect the site.
• You need the land owner's permission.
• Fire must be attended at all times.

Category 4 Prescribed Burning
• This is the knowledgeable application of fire to a piece of land for a specific forest management or other land use. (Includes grass fires
You need a written permit from Natural Resources.
• We must also pre-inspect the site.
• You need the land owner's permission.
• Fire must be attended at all times.

You must have:
• A written burn plan
• Pre-inspection by our staff
• A written permit with guidelines
• If you are convicted of lighting a grass fire without a written permit, you will face a fine.

Grass fires are a category 4 fire and responsible for most spring wildfires.
Burning dry grass in fields can quickly spread to nearby forest or destroy your property.